BEST OF BRONCS AND BULLS Quality stock makes for exciting show S ome of rodeo’s toughest broncos, bulls, and bull fighters will be performing at this year’s Farm- City Pro Rodeo. Those in charge of the show want to ensure that both the spectators and com- petitors get the best of the best. “Both have to pay the price of admis- sion,” said David Bothum of the Farm- City board of directors. “The cowboys pay their own entry and travel fees, so we want to make sure everyone gets a le- gitimate shot.” Since riders get a blind draw on which animal they’re going to ride during a per- formance to try to earn their paycheck, having a stable full of good stock is import- ant. It also pays off for the audience with a ROUGH STOCK series of exciting rides each night. This year, rough stock will be provided by Calgary Stampede from Alberta, Can- ada, Korkow Rodeos from Pierre, South Dakota, Kesler Rodeo Co. from Helena, Montana, and Corey & Lang from Moses Lake, Washington. And once the ride is over, a familiar crew will jump to action getting the bulls back to their pens. Tim O’Connor, a veteran of Califor- nia’s Redding Rodeo, and Nate Jestes, a National Rodeo finalist, will both return to Hermiston this year to face down bulls. Farm-City takes pride in providing their contestants with top-quality rough stock, and audiences with a top-quality show. They received the Remuda Award for Best File photo Stock in 2009 and 2014 — an award voted on by the top 15-20 cowboys in the world. A group of bulls from Korkow Rodeos stock contracting “It’s an honor to be a part of such a high company offloads into the new Farm-City Pro Rodeo arena in August 2017. quality show,” Bothum said. East Oregonian/Hermiston Herald | 19